Nee Sorensen. 

Entered Eternal Life on October 8th, 2019 at the age of 76. She was born March 25th, 1943 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She was the daughter of Hugh and Margaret (nee Marshall) Sorensen. She was the beloved wife of Robert "Bob" Balmer for 57 years. Survivors include her children Christine (the late Vova) Novak, Rob (Michelle) Balmer and Ted Balmer. Her grandchildren are Austin, Misha, Sasha, and Rachel Novak, Kira, Logan, Allianna, and Ava Balmer. She is further survived by her brother Bill (Sherry) Sorensen and her brother-in-law Tom Hinterman (the late Jan). Further survived and loved by nieces and nephews.

Mary Anne spent her childhood in Chelsea Michigan; at Chelsea High she was a member of the marching band, and she also enjoyed drag racing in her mother’s DeSoto. As a long-time member of the United Methodist Church of Whitefish Bay she worked as the Volunteer Coordinator for many years and sang in the church choir with her many friends. She was also a member of the United Methodist Women's organization. During the 1980s, when her children were mostly grown, she pursued a full-time work as the Events Coordinator at the Milwaukee Grain Exchange. She has always loved planning parties whether for family events or for others.

Mary Anne loved people, she could and would talk to everyone she met. She believed that everyone should be happy and should be able to love whomever they wished. She was proud and thrilled that in her lifetime she was able to vote for a wonderful man of color and a woman for president. She was a strong advocate for equal rights for all, including LGBTQ rights, often traveling to attend meetings and rallies in support. Mary Anne was a member of PEO and loved all of her sisters. She enjoyed time spent with her family, especially her grandchildren.

Visitation will be held Friday, October 11, 2019 at Schmidt & Bartelt Funeral Home, 10280 N. Port Washington Rd, Mequon, 53097 from 5:00PM until 7:00PM. Additional visitation to continue Saturday, October 12th, 2019 at United Methodist Church of Whitefish Bay, 819 E. Silver Spring Dr, Whitefish Bay, WI 53217 from 11:00AM until time of funeral service at 12Noon followed by a luncheon in Fellowship Hall. The family will have a private interment at the Resurrection Cemetery in Mequon, WI.

In lieu of flowers, contributions to Kairos CoMotion to support the work of Love Prevails at PO Box 45234, Madison, WI 53744-5234 or the Robert T. Balmer Endowment Scholarship in Mechanical Engineering at opitz@uwm.edu..